There is always a bit of debate about the best place for cash. I think generally you're looking at one of the "big three" - Korea, Japan, or Taiwan. These countries have the most jobs and your average deal is more lucrative there than in other coutries. Between the big three you'll get conflicting opinions. Last time I checked Korea was the only one that regularly offered free accomadation - I'm not sure if this has changed, but surely it makes a pretty big difference. Japan's living expenses are the highest, but can be lower than you might expect depending on your lifestyle and where you live. I don't know too much about Taiwan. At the end of the day, it's possible to save quite a bit of cash in any of the three I think. As for a concrete example, I save about a thousand Canadian dollars a month in Korea and I live pretty large.

As far as currency value, one of the reasons I'm an English teacher is that I'm thoroughly uninterested in all matters commerce-related. I know it affects me and I should pay more attention, but I just don't. Sorry - I know others do though, they'll be able to speculate about the won. Based on the little I do know, it's probably likely to head back up when it becomes clear that Bush isn't going to invade North Korea...(he isn't, right?)...

If you look at the money you make over here only in your home currency, you're missing the point of making money over here. It doesn't matter how much the rate changes, until it's time for you to go/pay bills at home.

7,000 for a mixed drink is 7,000 won.
1,300 to step in a taxi is 1,300.
Movies are 6,000.

If you look at the money you make over here only in your home currency, you're missing the point of making money over here. It doesn't matter how much the rate changes, until it's time for you to go/pay bills at home.

7,000 for a mixed drink is 7,000 won.
1,300 to step in a taxi is 1,300.
Movies are 6,000.

While you're here, you're living the good life.

I agree with your point. I have a friend who keeps sending me prices of things in wons and I have stopped converting them and instead think of it as a percentage of what I would be earning that month while I am in there instead.

BUT...for the money I am planning on sending home I want to know if I should send it month by month because it is only going to be worth less if I hold on to it...or should I hold on to it for a while and send it later with the idea the won will go back up?

I have watched the won go down, from about 770 per Canadian dollar to 854 per Canadian dollar today, in just a few months. This would make a difference of a couple of thousand dollars in your overall take home to your own country money.

And if it keeps going down...is it even worth it to come if the motive was to send back money?

I am also wondering for anyone who might know...is this fluctuation normal in some way for the won? For those who have been watching the won a lot longer than I have do you have an opinion of what might happen?

The conversion matters if you have to send money home to pay bills.
I left Korea before my salary dropped by $200 a month American.
I think the money is better in Taiwan right now, but that's just my opinion. Who knows, maybe the won will bounce back.

People want to write how great working in Korea is. However, everyone realizes there are various kinds of contracts and deals in Korean universities and institutes. Why are universities allowed to offer such varied options to employees, especially foreigners or kyobos? How often do the options actually turn out to be perks or bonuses for foreigners?

Why does not the university pay for airfare and 100 percent of housing? Why does not the university offer a bonus? How many foreigners can get tenure or long term positions at universities? How many foreigners teach the same number of classes as the Korean instructors? How many foreigners teach fewer students than the Korean instructors?

I hope you never play the stock market.
It's not just a "bet", it's called actually paying attention to what's going on around you...
Btw, the falling won is not the reason I left, but it's good to pay attention to things.